Private Lewis Arthur Barker

Date of Birth 21/04/1895
Age at Death 21
Date of Death 14 September 1916
Service Number 7319
Military Service B Company, 12th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers
Merton Address 3 Lyveden Road
Local Memorial Christ Church, Colliers Wood

Additional Information

Lewis Arthur Barker was born in Battersea on 21st April 1895 to parents Arthur and Edith (nee Minns). His father worked as a cabinet maker.

In 1901 the family were living at 61 Glasford Street, Tooting and Lewis now aged six had three siblings: Robert 4, Edith Florence 2 and John George aged 6 months

Records show that Edith died aged 6 in May 1905. During 1902 and 1910 his parents had a further five children: Graham, Ernest, Ivy, Allen and Dorothy.

By 1911 the family were still at the same address living in 4 rooms and sharing the house with one other family. Lewis’s parents had been married for 17 years and one of their nine children had died. Lewis now aged 16 was working as an Errand Boy.

When war broke out July/August 1914 Lewis enlisted in Kingston -upon –Thames on 1st September 1914 with the B Company 12th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers and given the service number 7319. He was aged 19 and described as being 5ft 6 ¾ tall, chest 36, weight 140 lbs having a fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. His occupation was listed as a fitter.

Lewis was killed in action at the Battle of Machukovo on the 14th of September 1916 aged 21. This was a three-day battle starting on the night of the 13th of September 1916. The area was part of Macedonia along the River Vardar. Machukovo was a village to the east of the river. Overlooking the village was a ridge of high ground. The position held by a German Regiment in well prepared defences. The British advance was halted with heavy casualties and no gains.

Lewis is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial within the Doiran Military Cemetery in Greece. His name also appears on a war memorial at Christ Church Colliers Wood.

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